This week we have lots of interesting and technologically exciting travel news to share. Dubai has opened a new astronomical science centre, part of a vision to build a city on Mars. Apollo has launched a mobile ad campaign that only appears when it rains. And, as if that wasn't enough, Google has developed a pair of wireless headphones that translate between 40 different languages in real time as you speak.
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New guides for accessible holidays
The Swedish booking service Handiscoverwhich provides holiday accommodation for people with disabilities, is launching new guides to accessible accommodation this autumn. The latest guides provide tips on the Canary Islands and Croatia, including beaches with wheelchair ramps and accessible excursions, such as an underwater excursion for people with disabilities off Lanzarote.
Trendy Christmas destinations
During the Christmas holidays, many Swedes take the opportunity to seek warmth in more distant destinations. Thailand has long been a favourite, but recent booking statistics from Ticket Privatresor show that Swedes are also beginning to discover other destinations. This year's newcomers are Sri Lanka, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Costa Rica.
Dubai wants to build a city on Mars
A brand new astronomical science centre recently opened in Dubai: the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre. This UFO-shaped centre allows visitors to see distant galaxies up close through a giant telescope with a lens measuring one metre in diameter.
There is also a small telescope that can be connected to a smartphone to take pictures of planets in our own solar system. The centre is part of Dubai's 100-year vision to build a city on Mars by 2117.
Rain-driven ad campaign
Apollo's new mobile ad campaign is now up and running, according to TravelNews.se. But don't expect to see it if the sun is shining. The campaign only runs when it rains. Apollo is the first in Sweden with this type of rain-controlled advertising, which is now being shown in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
The weather forecast is checked in real time via GPS positioning and the films are only shown when the forecast shows precipitation of 0.1 millimetres of rain or more. The reason, according to Apollo, is that more trips are booked in bad weather.
Headphones translate languages in real time
Google has developed a pair of wireless headphones that translate into 40 languages in real time, reports Dagens Analys. For example, if you're travelling to Paris and want to talk to some locals, just plug in the headphones and chat away.
Well, if it's going to be a dialogue and not just one-sided, both parties need to wear the headphones. Google actually used English and Swedish on stage to showcase the headphones, as Swedish designer Isabelle is behind the design. The headphones cost $159 and will be released in November.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Hottest weekend trips and best theme parks
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Travelsis says:
Wow so many exciting technical news? Thanks for the update ?
09 October 2017 - 7:24
Helena says:
Technological developments are advancing by leaps and bounds 😉.
09 October 2017 - 11:19
åsa i åsele says:
Then you have to hope that the people you meet have the same headphones so you can talk 😉 and wonder just how likely that is 🙂.
One thing I wonder about - you may know - has there been less travelling to countries around North Korea such as Japan now after the unrest and risk of some kind of retaliation/war?
I hope your week is a good one.
09 October 2017 - 7:31
Helena says:
Interesting, but no, I have no idea if travelling to Japan has been affected in any way. Japan is rarely included on any lists, since it is, after all, a fairly limited number of Swedes who travel there (compared to the most popular destinations in Asia).
09 October 2017 - 11:23
Lisa / livet från den ljusa sidan says:
So, SO cool headphones!
Are you going anywhere for Christmas this year?
09 October 2017 - 8:49
Helena says:
We don't know yet if we are travelling anywhere. There are a bit too many things that are unclear (e.g. if I have a job after the turn of the year). But hopefully we are travelling! 😉 And you?
09 October 2017 - 13:58
Ditte says:
Glad that it is now again possible to go to Sri Lanka. because it is a very beautiful destination that I think offers a lot. I can easily imagine travelling there again. But South Africa and Costa Rica are ahead on the list. Countries I have not yet visited.
The Google headphones seem fun. And an affordable price too.
09 October 2017 - 8:54
Helena says:
Sri Lanka sounds interesting to me! But also South Africa and Costa Rica 🙂
09 October 2017 - 13:59
Ama de casa says:
Too bad for Apollo that the meteorologists are so bad at "predicting" weather... Here we have gone out in "rain" many times even though the sun has been shining from a clear blue sky 😉.
Have a great start to the week!
09 October 2017 - 9:48
Helena says:
We have also experienced that the "predictions" are wrong in real time. I realise that the future is difficult to predict, but the present should be a little easier 😉.
09 October 2017 - 14:00
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Then we just have to realise that we are statistically typical Swedes, as we have looked at Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and Vietnam (the only destination I have visited) as the next destination for a long trip. Thailand has never attracted me but who knows....
The headphones seem to be an incredible tool, but you need two and I already have a well-stocked backpack with photo and tech gadgets (+ an equal number of chargers).
09 October 2017 - 10:54
Helena says:
These are tempting destinations, we have to say. We have visited Thailand once, and it is not so high on our wish list to go there again. But I do believe that all countries have treasures if you find the right one!
09 October 2017 - 14:02
Steve says:
Phew! It actually feels pretty good that my travelling career is over.
09 October 2017 - 12:20
Helena says:
Haha yes, that's how you can feel. Development is moving forward at a furious pace ...!
09 October 2017 - 14:03
Ruth i Virginia says:
Haha, Steve, that goes for me too!
I have stood in my last queue at an airport;
driving a car at home is enough for me, and I like that.
09 October 2017 - 18:42
LinizTravel says:
Lots of cool news 🙂 impressive 🙂 hugs
09 October 2017 - 12:54
Helena says:
Development is progressing at a rapid pace 😉 .
09 October 2017 - 14:04
Annika i Spanien says:
I'd like to check out that giant telescope!
09 October 2017 - 13:24
Helena says:
Right!? Me too!!! 🙂 (And I want to photograph planets in the smaller telescope too ;))
09 October 2017 - 14:05
BP says:
Apollo's new mobile ad campaign must have been running hot for the last few days, as it's been nothing but rain.
The BBC programme "Click" did a half hour long report on Google's wireless headphones. So no need to learn a new language... I just hope these translations are better than Google translate;-)
09 October 2017 - 19:21
Kors och Tvärs says:
If you are going to travel to March, you must have a very long holiday. I prefer a slightly more down-to-earth alternative 🙂 .
09 October 2017 - 19:22
Lena - gott för själen says:
That translation was so cool!
Hug Lena
09 October 2017 - 19:52
Åsa says:
Google translate sucks big time! 😉
10 October 2017 - 0:09
Anna says:
I would need those headphones right now! Travelling in South America without knowing a word of Spanish, has proven a bit difficult sometimes haha,
10 October 2017 - 4:15
Anna i Dubai says:
Well, well, well! Good that you know more than me what's going on in Dubai. I googled and apparently we have "space week" this week.
10 October 2017 - 7:01